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CU System

CU System briefs (01/12/2009)

* LOGAN, Utah (1/13/09)--An ATM at the Logan, Utah, branch of Deseret First CU gave out free cash to anyone making a “deposit” with an empty slip for several months. As a result, three sisters in their 30s collectively obtained $25,000 in supposed deposits credited to their accounts from April 22 through July 7. The three didn’t conduct transactions. Instead, they hit a cancel button after inserting an empty deposit envelope, but the machine credited their accounts anyway, said North Park Police Sgt. John Itlasasno. He added the situation was a result of a computer glitch. Court records indicated that one sister pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of theft. Deseret First is a $449.8 million asset, Salt Lake City-based credit union (The Associated Press Jan. 10) … * CHARLOTTE, N.C. (1/13/09)--Golfers representing credit unions from North Carolina and South Carolina will tee up against each other in the Fifth Annual Carolinas Cup charity golf event March 15-17. All proceeds will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The three-day event, which will be the Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., is being hosted by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, the North Carolina and South Carolina credit union leagues and CUNA Mutual Group. All proceeds will go to The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation for the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a year-round NASCAR-themed facility in Randleman, N.C. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in memory of their son, Adam, a NASCAR driver killed in a racing accident in 2000, Victory Junction is designed to creates camping experiences for children with chronic illnesses … * RICHARDSON, Texas (1/13/09)--Texans CU’s 2008 fundraising campaign

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resulted in $194,000 raised for United Way. More than 250 employees at the $1.839 billion asset, Richardson-based credit union participated in the one-week campaign, with 23 individuals investing at the Leadership Society level with a minimum $1,000 donation. All employee contributions were matched dollar for dollar by the credit union. Also, Texans matched member gifts fifty cents to each dollar. This year Texans introduced a Day of Caring opportunity with employees volunteering at a local United Way agency. United Way contributors were invited to an exclusive breakfast with Dallas Stars hockey player and credit union spokesman, Mike Modano, who posed with Texans CU employees at a recent thank you event for United Way campaign donors (Photo provided by Texans CU)… * HIGHTSTOWN, N.J. (1/13/09)—The Essex West Hudson Chapter of credit unions will meet Wednesday with Newark Mayor Cory Booker as guest speaker in an event open to all affiliated New Jersey Credit Union League credit union professionals, volunteers, members and vendors in the state. Booker is often mentioned as a likely Democrat successor to Gov. Jon Corzine. His unconventional approach to politics was the subject of a documentary entitled “Street Fight,” which was nominated for the 2005 Academy Award for Best Documentary. As a Newark City Councilman, he went on a 10-day hunger strike, living in a tent in front of one of Newark’s worst housing projects to protest open-air drug dealing. His initiatives to improve housing, youth, law and order, and the efficiency of City Hall were often outvoted, 8 to 1. After his term ended, he became director of Newark Now, a grassroots nonprofit group, and partner of a West Orange law firm. In 2006, on his second try, he was elected mayor with 72% of the vote and initatied a 100-day plan to implement reforms including expanding the police force, opening city jobs to former offenders, improving services and expanding summer youth programs … * HARRISBURG, Pa. (1/13/09)--Blue Chip FCU, Harrisburg, Pa., issued a 2% bonus dividend and 0.75% loan refund to its members in appreciation for their trust and loyalty, the credit union told the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association (Life is a Highway Jan. 9). The credit union also is renovating its site and will add an 800-square-foot lobby, teller station and drive-thru window ... * HARRISBURG, Pa. (1/13/09)--Norb Kaczmarek, CEO, Erie (Pa.) FCU, and board chair of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation, was featured in the Erie Times-News. The article focused on how the credit union helps students and the community become more financially responsible (Life is a Highway Jan. 9). Use the link to view the article ... * PHOENIX (1/13/09)--MaryPat Garry, a former board chairman of Desert Schools FCU, Phoenix, died Jan. 3 at the age of 70 (The Arizona Republic Jan. 9). Garry served on the board, filling numerous positions, from 1989 to 2009. Desert Schools FCU has $3.1 billion in assets ...